Minister Lajčák in Berlin to discuss migration and the European presidency

Minister Lajčák in Berlin to discuss migration and the European presidency

8.4.2016 | Aktivity ministra | Predsedníctvo SR v Rade EÚ |

Berlin (7 April) – The priorities of Slovakia’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, further development of bilateral relations and timely foreign policy issues were discussed by Miroslav Lajčák, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Berlin. Minister Lajčák’s visit in the German metropolis followed the day after his negotiations in Athens where he spoke with his Greek partners primarily about the migrant crisis.

“Migration currently is the major challenge for Europe and it likely will be the main topic also during our Presidency of the Council of the EU,” noted Minister Lajčák after his deliberations with the German minister. “This is not a German, Greek or Slovak issue; it is a European issue. It is a common challenge for us all and the solution to it can only be a pan-European one. We have been saying this from the start and from the start we have been declaring our readiness to be a part of the joint solution,” emphasized Minister Lajčák in Berlin.

He also noted that Slovakia is a responsible EU member and will approach carrying out its Presidency of the Council of the EU with just the same responsibility. He introduced the prepared priorities of Slovakia’s Presidency to his German counterpart and stated that the upcoming Presidency will be an opportunity for Slovakia to also further intensify communication and cooperation with Germany.

“Our excellent bilateral relations offer very useful prerequisites for cooperation within Europe. Germany represents a dependable partner who has been significantly contributing to seeking joint European-wide solutions,” stated Minister Lajčák, while appreciating Germany’s positive role in global issues as well. In that regard the ministers discussed progress in peace talks for resolution of the crisis in Syria, the situation in the eastern part of Ukraine as well as in the Western Balkans.

Minister Lajčák held previous bilateral talks with Minister Steinmeier in Berlin in June last year. The German minister visited Bratislava before that visit in March. Besides those meetings both ministers also meet on a regular monthly basis at the EU’s meetings of foreign ministers in Brussels and Luxembourg.